President William Ruto has assured the residents of Bungoma County that once the construction of Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi Constituency is completed, it will be handed over to the County Government.
Additionally, the president assured that he directed the contractors working on the stadium not to leave the site until the construction of the stadium was completed.
“And once we hand over the stadium to the county, anyone who intends to use the stadium should pay. No one should be allowed access to the stadium, use the facilities, and then just walk out,” the Head of State noted during a prayer and thanksgiving service in Kimilili Constituency.
He added that it’s through charging entrance fees that the county would be able to properly run the stadium, emphasising that those who are not willing to pay for the stadium should be denied access to use the facilities.
He continued, “We must be responsible stewards of public resources.”
Ruto also assured the residents of Bungoma County that the stadium would meet the required international standards.
Similarly, Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba announced earlier today that the stadium would be completed in a span of six months.
According to Ababu, the stadium will be fitted with floodlights, permanent seats, a seamless Teflon canopy, and a standard pitch before the end of the six months
Ababu noted, “Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, is just a glimpse of our revolutionary Sports and Creatives Infrastructure Masterplan that we are rolling out countrywide with deliberate, intentional, and structured focus,”
“In three months, we have transformed an abandoned construction site into a sparkling arena fit for national day celebrations," Namwmba added.
The CS for Sports previously stated that the Masinde Muliro Stadium is part of the ministry’s transformative Sports and Creatives Infrastructure Masterplan “which is guiding our deliberate efforts to upgrade this long-neglected sector.”
Before the construction of the Masinde Muliro Stadium, most of the events were held at the Sudi Stadium in Nzoia which is owned by the Nzoia Sugar Company.
In a past interview, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka stated, “We are strategising so that when Kenya bids for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, we shall offer Kanduyi (now Masinde Muliro Stadium) as one of the venues to host some of the matches.”
For the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations which were held yesterday, June 1, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that millions were used to renovate and prepare key infrastructure including the Masinde Muliro Stadium ahead of the fete.
He continued and stated that the majority of the funds were used to undertake the first phase of the stadium which has a sitting capacity of 40,000.
"The government is also committed to enhancing infrastructure and social services in the region. The completion of Phase I of the Masinde Muliro project in Kanduyi Sub-county, costing Ksh807 million. Phase II of the Masinde Muliro project, covering terraces, perimeter fence, and access passes, is nearly complete at an additional cost of Ksh790 million," read the statement in part.
